Blue-Tongue
Skinks

RANGEAustralia, Tasmania,
and New Guinea. The different species found variously in open woodlands, at the
margins of forest and field, semi-deserts. Heavily build, broad bodies set on
small legs with delicate toes. Broad, blunt triangular head typical of skinks.
Deep, berry blue tongue vividly offset against the deep pink interior of mouth.

Hemisphaeriodon
gerrardii (previously: T. gerrardii; sometimes Cyclodomorphus gerrardii)- Australian Pink-Tongued skink
Found in New South Wales, Eastern Australia. Grows to 40-45 cm./ 15.5-17.5 in.
This skink lives in a wetter forest habitat than the other Australian Skinks,
is nocturnal in warm weather and diurnal in cold and feeds almost exclusively
on snails and slugs. Produces 12-25 live young in summer. Distribution: New South
Wales, Queensland.

HousingHatchlings can be kept in 10 gal.
Adults require at minimum 40-55 gal tanks; these lizards are wide-ranging inthe
wild and so do better in much larger enclosures.

Most prefer snug
hides, so hide boxes, rock caves or half logs will be needed.

While
these are ground dwelling lizards, they do have to clamber over things to get
their relatively large bodies over things with their outlandishly tiny legs and
feet. Many seem to enjoy the exploration and exercise climbing over and through
things gives them, so providing different levels of branches and logs for them
to climb on will make for better adjusted lizards. This also means that top-opening
tanks need to be securely fastened, and open-top tanks need to be deep enough
to prevent the skink from climbing out.

One
area of slightly damp substrate should be kept, or a humidity retreat box (into
which they can freely climb in and out, filled with damp sphagnum moss or a loosely
piled damp towel, for use during shed periods).

WaterThey
should have a bowl of water available at all times. They may defecate in it so
it should be checked regularly. Bowl should be big enough for them to climb easily
in and out of if it is to be used for bathing.

LightRegular exposure to UVB wavelengths are
strongly recommended. This can be furnished by close proximity to a Vita-Lite
or Zoo Med Iguana or Reptisun fluorescent lights (5.0+) or direct sunlight. If
using the latter, be sure that there is a cooler retreat for the skink to go to.
They do not tolerate very high temperatures and can easily become prostrate by
the buildup of heat in their enclosure.

TemperatureThe
overall gradient should range from the mid 70s on the cool side to the mid 80s
on the warm side. A warmer basking area, with temps well into the 90s, must also
be provided during the day. Depending on the type of skink and its place of origin,
some will do better with basking areas into the low 100s, while others need basking
temps in the low to mid 90s. Observe your lizard for signs of temperature related
stress, and adjust accordingly.

A people heating pad under the tank at one end, and a radiant heat source overhead
at the same end, will generally be all that is required to establish the necessary
gradient. Cold winter weather outside will require additional heating or a stronger
bulb in the enclosure. Temps should not be allowed to fall below 70 F at night
on the cool side.

Diet Blue-tongues are omnivores, consuming both
plant and animal matter. Their diet should be about 60% plant and 40% animal.
A basic mixed vegetable salad can be prepared similar to that fed to green
iguanas. Along with the salad, thinly sliced greens (collards, dandelion,
escarole) can be mixed into the mixed vegetables.

Frozen
vegetable mixes are either mostly corn and carrots, or mostly cauliflower and
broccoli. Neither are particularly good for skinks and other animals. Corn and
carrots convert quickly to sugars, and carrots have oxalates, which bind calcium,
preventing its uptake. Cauliflower and broccoli contain goitrogens which bind
iodine, leading to impaired thyroid function. In additional, the thiaminase in
frozen green vegetables and greens destroys the thiamin (B1) in the plant; when
fed regularly, this leads to a thiamin deficiency.
If you use frozen vegetables or freeze your own fresh salad.

Many
skinks seem to relish berries and juicy fruits, so think about keeping a supply
of frozen blueberries and cherries around, as well as fresh berries, peaches,
nectarines, and pears during the season. A bite or two of banana is generally
not refused, either.

Hatchling
skinks can be started on mealworms, redworms, small crickets, and pinkie mice.
As they grow, increase the size of the prey (small earthworms, Zoophoba larvae
and pupae, fuzzies and crews).

Feed
the skinks ad lib, that is, however much they want to eat, when they want
to eat. Feeding frequency will taper off as they grow, so you may find that you
are offering food 2-4 times a week. Blue-tongues are pretty eloquent when they
are hungry (they clearly fixate on your hands and any other perceived movement,
often with their mouth open and body ready to charge or pounce), so they are unlikely
to go hungry for long so long as you keep an eye on them.

Fresh
drinking water should always be available for them.

HandlingBlue-tongue
skinks are very docile, curious lizards. They tame easily and are handleable by
careful small children. They do develop claws, and while they don't particularly
scratch, it can be startling and scary to someone who is nervous holding them,
so always supervise people closely when first handing the lizard to them. Like
many omnivorous and carnivorous lizards, blue-tongues find that wriggling human
fingers look an awful lot like small wriggling mice...and may try to eat one if
they are hungry. As with all such reptiles, it is best to wash your hands before
handling them if you have been handling anything they normally eat.